What drives someone to become a suicide bomber? Who are al Qaeda and what do they want? What happens when the media becomes part of the story? Author and UN Security advisor Leonard Weinberg answers these and other questions in an exploration that ranges from the French Revolution to the death squads of Colombia, and reveals how terrorism has become an invasive presence that affects government policy, military actions, and holiday destinations. International in scope, authoritative, and shrewd, this book is essential reading for anyone worried about public security or seeking to gain a deeper understanding of where terrorism comes from, how it works, and where it ends.